The Las Vegas Raiders enter the 2022 season looking like a darkhorse contender after the additions they made in the offseason.
However, while Davante Adams and Chandler Jones will help the Raiders on both sides of the football, the biggest question mark remains the offensive line. Las Vegas made the suspect choice to retool their o-line last offseason, and it was evident early on during the 2021 campaign that it was a work in progress.
The Raiders figured to be improved on that front with reinforcements returning but had to be shocked when Denzelle Good suddenly announced he was retiring via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN:
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Denzelle Good, who was returning from a torn ACL in his left knee and was expected to reclaim his starting job at right guard, retired suddenly on Monday, less than a week after the start of training camp.
Good had finally finished rehabbing a torn ACL he suffered in Week 1 last year and was ready to go for the start of this season, but he explained his reasoning for retiring via his Twitter account:
Thank you for all you guys support, it means a lot to see the love from y’all. This was one of the most difficult decisions in my life to make and I make it wholeheartedly. I need this time to focus on things football, unfortunately, wont allow me to.
— Denzelle Good (@IBeDG_71) July 26, 2022
I still love this Game and feel like I have plenty left in me, but I just have to shift my time and focus on my family for the time being. Thank you to the @Raiders organization, my Brothers, and the Coaching staff for the support and understanding.
— Denzelle Good (@IBeDG_71) July 26, 2022
With Good now gone, the Raiders will need to find his replacement. As of now, Dylan Parham and Leston Cotton Sr. are the favorites to start in his place, so it will be interesting to see who separates themselves during training camp.